Astor House in CenPho Reinventing Itself as a BBQ Joint (And We've Got the Menu)

Since it closed temporarily two weeks ago, Astor House, the charming, small plate spot from DJ Fernandes (Tuck Shop,Vovomeena) that opened last spring, has been going through a transformation -- of the 'cue kind.

Featuring smoked meats done in a barbecue style Fernandes refers to as "Coronado Cue," the re-imagined Astor House -- now called Astor House: Coronado 'Cue & Southern Speakeasy -- will open its doors to guests at 11 a.m. Tuesday, September 17.

Astor House will offer smoked beef, pork, chicken, turkey, and two types of sausages from Schreiner's in a deli-style format (guests choose the cut and quantity) along with a signature sauce. The 'cue will be served wrapped in butcher paper, along with a housemade pickle.

There are also two sizes of barbecue sandwiches and sides, such as jalapeño cornbread, chimichurri potato salad, collard greens, house slaw, and sweet chili beans con carne.

On the "Southern Speakeasy" side, guests will be able to wash down the barbecue bites with craft beer, a glass of New World wine, Southern-inspired libations, or a concoction of their own made from a mix-and-match cocktail list that starts with a base spirit then combines mixtures like housemade ginger ale and lemonade.

Although its food offerings may have been gone through an overhaul, Astor House will maintain its smart, mid-century looks. Guests of the charming little bungalow can take a seat indoors or on its private patio, complete with a 1960s vending machine dispensing canned suds in exchange for tokens.

@Concerned_Food_Fan With 4 months in planning, research (eating at every BBQ place in a 20 mile radius) and test smokes. As well as a combined 50+ years encompassing everything from offset smoke to whole hog experience this is anything but desperate. Our sole intent is to offer the best BBQ in town.

@bmcphx cenpho=nickname for central phoenix. astor house is located in the coronado historic neighborhood just north of downtown phoenix (address is listed above). astor house is a great little place in the middle of the neighborhood, right next door to tuck shop, also owned by DJ Fernandes and an excellent restaurant.